#runningbling

[fivestarrunningramblings]

2023 in 2023

December 2023

It’s December and time again to reflect on my year in fitness. My running/walking journey was permeated by a mistake I made at the very beginning of the year in January 2023. Let me explain: 

I like and am highly motivated by fitness challenges. Whether that means I’m lazy on my own or just easily swayed by shiny objects, I don’t know; but I will make sure I complete a challenge if it means I get a reward at the end. As silly as it may sound, I know I’m not the only one given the popularity of finisher medals for live/virtual races and personal fitness trackers with monthly digital bling. 

So…In January I signed my husband and I up for a “2023 in 2023” virtual challenge. In my mind, that meant a great big medal for completing 20.23 miles in 2023. Easy peasy, right? WRONG! It was actually 2,023 miles in 2023. Commas and decimal points are important, kiddos!

The good news is that we signed up as a team, so the 2,023 was a combined effort that has kept us documenting our miles every day of every month of this year. We received the medal early in the year and it included milestones along the way for encouragement. Regularly we take a realistic look at our progress to determine if we are on course to finish by December 31st or if we need to take it up a notch. As of the almost-end of November, we have a total of 1,935 miles, leaving us with 88 miles to finish. We plan to do at least 3 5k’s in December, including Five Star’s Reindeer Run on 12/16 and White Elephant 5k on 12/24. Side note: In addition to Christmas Eve, December 24th is also my birthday. I’m really looking forward to my Christmas Eve Birthday 5k!

So that’s what I’ve been working on this year. My hard count of (physical) bling for 2023 is 27. I’m really looking forward to adding the big 2023 number 28 medal to the display. Wish me luck and you best believe I will be reading the fine print of any 2024 fitness challenges very carefully next year!!!

Happiest of Holidays and Happy Running!

Kerry

[blackgirlsdorunuk]

•Medal Monday• This slow runner has ran 40 races over the last 21 years 💕 2 x marathons 1 x family marathon 1 x 16 mile 7 x half marathons 2 x 10 mile 14 x 10k's 10 x 5k's 3 x virtual runs of 100miles, 50 miles and 66k A whopping total of 487.51 race miles 💕 #blackgirlsdorunuk #medalmonday #celebrateyourachievements #wearingallmyrunningmedals #runlove #lovetorun #runningbling #slowrunner #slowproudrunner https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NMFodHBB1/?igshid=1ppfmzncdeygp

[rtbridges]

Bling. Love the new #houstondouble medal. . . . . #chevronhoustonmarathon #houmarathon #runhouston #runner #running #instarunner #instarunners #instarunning #26point2 #marathon #runnerslife #runningbling #marathon2017 #runhou #runforareason #alzstars #alzheimersassociation #charity #endalz #alzheimers #hou5k #abb5k (at Chevron Houston Marathon)

[sportychicworld]

😍I finally put my #medalmode display together from my #funrunbox a few months back. #medals #runningteacher #runners #runningbling #racebling #runhappy #runnersofinstagram #gimmemore #blingbling

[kellyskreations1-blog]

#Trainertags #handstamped #runningbling #runnergifts #etsysellers #etsylisting #kreationsbrigg #handmadejewellery

[teamrundisney]

The countdown to #PrincessHalf Weekend is on! Have you started packing for your royal race weekend?? #TeamrunDisney #TrDRunningClub #Repost @jbullski ・・・ My #TBT is my #PrincessHalfWeekend bling. It started in 2012 with the #RoyalFamily5k and the addiction began. 5 5ks, 3 10ks, and 2 Glass Slipper Challenges finished. Next week will by my 6th Princess weekend! Ready to add some more #PrincessBling to the collection. #runDisney #PrincessHalf #Enchanted10k #Princess5k #GlassSlipperChallenge #RunningBling #WDW #PrincessInTraining #GSC #runDisneyThrowback #runDisneyAddict #StartedWithA5k

[eydieventuro]

Finally earned this big girl! #iwillhaveorder #imustnottelllies #hogwartsrunningclub #umbridge13k #prettyinpink #harrypotter Thank you @hogwartsrunningclub for my beautiful #runningbling #thisiswhyidoit #slowrunner #somuchgood #charitymiles

[run-like-a-nerd-blog]

#medalmonday In honor of the latest announcement from @hogwartsrunningclub...my first HRC medal! I love how high quality all of their medals are and, honestly, without the support of this group I never would have kept up with running like I have. Can't wait to sign up for the newest virtual race...and hopefully become perfect prefect this year! . . . #HarryPotter #runnersofinstagram #runner #run #umbridgerun #virtualrun #medal #runningbling #somuchgood #huffletuff

[fmoncayo81]

Before and after . . #nyrrmini10k #runlife #ididitforthe #runningbling #feelsgood #nyrrmember #nyrr #workhardplayhard #done #getittogetherfranccesca #thetimehascome #weightloss #motivation #sweat #sweating https://www.instagram.com/p/BydDiZ-pbNn/?igshid=ue87a3vwgf2l

[fivestarrunningramblings]

New Year, New Bling

The end of a calendar year can be a time of reflection; a chance to look back at the previous 365 days and appreciate what you accomplished, then possibly set new goals for the upcoming year. When it comes to running, I had one clear goal for 2018: surpass the amount of medals I got in 2017. 

Getting medals is not the original reason I started running nine years ago, but it is one of the driving forces why I continue. I just love getting bling! I was never a big collector of anything, so why this has become a thing for me, I don’t know. I’m glad it has because it’s certainly a factor that encourages me to race every weekend I can.

My 2017 count was 26, so obviously my 2018 goal was 27.  I ended the year with 31! My husband encouraged me to stop with I got my 27th medal; the logical reason being the more I get in 2018, the more I will have to get in 2019 to break that record. But yet, I couldn’t stop. I just wanted to get as many as I could. I guess I’ll just have to push myself even further in ‘19!

Getting medals is kind of a crazy addiction for me, but hey, there are lots worse addictions, right? Breaking bad habits, starting a fitness regime or sticking with the fitness is hard to do. Anything that is a proven motivator is good in my book; whether it’s feeling better, seeing weight go down or your medal collection go up. I encourage everyone to figure out what it is for you so that you will be successful in your new year fitness resolutions. Good luck!

Happy New Year & Happy Running!

CuteOldChick aka Kerry

                                        2018 Bling Total: 31

[rtbridges]

With @amandabridges1 after her 13.1 and my 26.2 . . . . . #chevronhoustonmarathon #houmarathon #aramcohalfmarathon #houhalf #halfmarathon #13point1 #instarunner #instarunners #instarunning #26point2 #marathon #runnerslife #runningbling #marathon2017 #runhou #runforareason #alzstars #houstondouble #hou5k #abb5k #alzheimers (at Chevron Houston Marathon)

[fmoncayo81]

Not sure why I do this to myself. Oh ... wait ... cause it's part of my 9+1. Ok, going to die now. See you on the other side 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️ . . #nyrrmini10k #runlife #runningbling #whydoidothistomyself #nyrrmember #nyrr #workhardplayhard #notready #willfinish #getittogetherfranccesca #thetimehascome #weightloss #motivation #sweat #sweating #haventevenstartedyet #okbye (at Central Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BycrqrLJ8oQ/?igshid=73ckngemjzj9

[djwraps]

Look what I got in the mail! Here's to running Rock n Roll San Francisco & Rock n Roll San Diego! #doublebeat #heavymedals #halfmarathon #runningbling